Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

FILE: Sachet alcoholic drinks The Federal Government on Tuesday formally flagged off a nationwide enforcement and public enlightenment campaign on the ban of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres. The joint press conference, held in Abuja, was organised by the National Orientation Agency in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The ban, which took effect on January 1, 2026, targets the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml. The measure is part…

Nigeria’s Value Added Tax revenue surged to N2.28 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 10.66% increase from N2.06 trillion in the previous quarter, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure was disclosed in the Sectorial Distribution of VAT Q3 2025 report published on the NBS website on Tuesday. The report shows that, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q3 2025 increased by 28.10% from Q3 2024. The breakdown shows local VAT payments dominating at N1.12 trillion, foreign VAT payments contributing N680.23 billion, and import VAT adding N479.79 billion. “Value Added…

Manny Ita  – King Charles III is reportedly preparing to hand over the British throne to his eldest son, Prince William, within the next 12 months, according to claims published on March 2 by journalist Rob Shuter in his Substack newsletter Naughty But Nice. Citing unnamed palace aides and courtiers, the report stated that discussions about a transition are underway as the 77-year-old monarch continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer diagnosed in 2024. “The institution is preparing emotionally, even if the paperwork hasn’t caught up,” a longtime aide was quoted as saying, adding that William is “already king…

BUA Cement announced the release of its full year 2025 audited financial statements, reporting a landmark revenue growth to N1.18 trillion, up by 34.6 per cent from N876.5 billion reported in 2024.  The company recorded a profit before tax of N465.3 billion in 2025, representing an increase of 367 per cent when compared to N99.6 billion in 2024, and a profit after tax of N356 billion, up by 381.7 per cent from N73.9 billion in 2024. The board of directors,however, recommended for shareholders’ approval, the declaration of a dividend of N10.00kobo dividend per one (1) ordinary share of 50 kobo…

Central Bank of Nigeria | Credit: CBN The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has said Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves rose sharply to $34.80bn at the end of 2025, signalling what he described as a significant strengthening in the country’s external buffers. In a press statement issued by the CBN on Monday, the apex bank said the improvement in both gross and net reserves reflected “stronger external sector fundamentals and sustained policy reforms.” Cardoso had earlier disclosed at the post-Monetary Policy Committee briefing on February 24, 2026, that Nigeria’s gross external reserves stood at $50.45bn as…

Elegbede Abiodun The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised its Premium Motor Spirit gantry price by N101, increasing the ex-depot rate from N774 to N875 per litre, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price increases across the country. A senior official at the refinery confirmed the development on Monday, noting that the adjustment followed recent volatility in global crude oil prices. “Yes, the price has been reviewed. The new gantry price is now N875 per litre from N774. The review became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said. Checks on petroleumprice.ng showed that the revised…

The Lagos State Scholarship Board has extended the registration deadline for its 2025/2026 Bursary and Scholarship Awards to March 6, 2026. In a public service announcement issued by its Public Affairs Unit on Sunday on its Facebook handle, the board said the extension provides an additional opportunity for eligible indigenous students of Lagos State in higher institutions across the country who are yet to complete their registration. “Registration will now close on Friday, 6th March, 2026. This extension provides an additional opportunity for eligible applicants who are yet to complete their registration,” the statement read. The board advised all interested…

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa. Credit: X | Maruf Tunji Alausa The Federal Government has approved N4 billion each for 12 selected universities of engineering and technology to rehabilitate workshops and procure modern equipment. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday at the inauguration of the Implementation Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund Special High-Impact Intervention Projects in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the intervention targets the rehabilitation of engineering and technology faculties in Federal Universities of Technology and conventional universities nationwide. Beneficiary institutions include FUT Minna, FUT Akure, FUT…

Elegbede Abiodun * Following the directive of President Bola Tinubu on revenues. The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of Executive Order 9 of 2026, mandating the direct remittance of oil revenues into the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday following the inaugural meeting of the implementation committee set up to enforce the directive. According to the minister, the move aligns with the directive of President Bola Tinubu that all revenues accruing to the federation from petroleum operations be managed strictly…

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has shown his plans to expand into steel production, electricity generation and port development as part of a broader ambition to accelerate industrialisation across Africa. Dangote, whose conglomerate spans cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, and petrochemicals, said his long term goal is to deepen Africa’s manufacturing base beyond oil refining and position the continent as a global industrial force. His latest flagship project, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, is now operational and producing about 650,000 barrels of refined products daily. He said output is expected to double within the next three year as expansion…